Every year at ALA's Midwinter Conference, youth librarians across the country look forward to the announcement of the ALA Youth Media Awards, and today was no different. So without further ado, here are the winners and finalists for literature for teens.
Michael L. Printz Award
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson won the Michael L. Printz Award, as well as being recognized as an honor book for the Stonewall Book Award. The Printz Award recognizes excellence in literature written for young adults, and this story of twins broken apart by tragedy takes a close look at their lives and the possibility of reconnecting. This award winner addresses family dynamics and everything that comes with relationships bound by blood. Four honor books, covering everything from praying mantis to a summer away were also awarded.
William C. Morris Award
The next big award went to Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero for the William C. Morris Award which honors debut authors writing for teens. The authentic, relatable story of Gabi, a Mexican-American teenager, highlights her struggles and ambition to be true to herself, her friends and her family. The realistic viewpoints and voice of Gabi make this a joy to read. For more debut authors, explore the four other chosen finalists.
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
This year's YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults winner went to Popular by Maya Van Wagenen. This memoir takes a look into the life of teenager who stumbles across an old guide on how to be popular. What comes of it is this look into one girl's life who discovers that popularity is not what many might believe. As the book's dedication says, this book is for all those who've sat alone at the edge of the playground. Four other books were finalists for the award, as well.
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe, Schneider Family and Alex Awards
Some other awards that may not be as well known, but are certainly just as worthy, include the winner of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award, When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds and the Schneider Family Book Award teen winner, which celebrates books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience, Girls Like Us by Gail Giles. Last, but not least, the Alex Awards, given to the best adult books that appeal to teen audiences, were awarded to ten winners.
With all these winners, and our CPL Mock Award Winners, it's hard to decide what to read next. Which one will you choose?
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